Electrical circuit breaker



March 25 1924.

1,488,392 w. H, ILLINGWQRTH ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKR 1920 5 sheets-'sheet 1 ruud oct. 27.

March z5 1924. 1,488,392

W. H. ILLINGWORTH y ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed oct. 2'7.-192o y 5 sheets-sheet 2 March 25', 1924.

w.H.|L| |NGwoRTH` ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed oct. 27. 1920 5 sheets-sheetl 3l March 25 1924. 1,488,392

A W. H. ILLINGWORTH ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Ot. 27. 1920 5 Sheeils-Sheet 4 March 25 1924. 1,488,392

W. H. ILLINGWORTH ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAVKER Filed Oct. 27. 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 D t. 6 c4 g Iso Patented Mar. 25, A1924.

I UNITED STATES.

1,488,392 PA'IENr OFFICE.

WILLIAM HENRY ILLINGWORTH, OF HALIFAX, ENGLAND.

ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKER. v

Application tiled October 27, 1990.4 Serial No. 419,834.

To f77 `uf/ima t may concern: f

Bc it known that I', WILLIAM HENRY ILL- INcwoIc'rII, a subject of the King of Great Britain` residing at 1 Ruskin Terrace, Lee Mount. Halifax, in the county of York, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Circuit Breakers, of which the following is a speciiication. A

This invention relates primarily to a carrier or holder which canvbe used in conjunction with a mercury cutout or .circuit breaker, such as that which is described in Amy prior United States Patent No. 1,316,095, granted Sept. 16, 1919, or inconjunction with a wire fuse.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1, is a vertical section and Figure 2 a plan of a cut-out, or circuit breaker constructed 1n 'accordance with this Invention.

Figure 3 is a detached view of the core.

Figure 4 shows a modified form of cutout, or circuit breaker partly in section and partly in elevation.

Figure 5 is a plan of the device shown in Figure 4. 1

Fig. 5a is a similar view illustrating a slight modification'. v

Figures 6 and 7 show the invention applied toa two way switch.

Figure 8 is a detached view of ay switch unit.

Figure 9 is a section and Figure 10 a plan showing the carrier applied to a wire fuse,

Figures 11 and 12 are similar views showing a carrier containing a number of fuse wires, and Figures 13 and 14 are plans showing tlie cut-outs with a number of mercury columns arranged in parallel.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the carrier comprises two lmetal portions A B placed end to end and separatedfrom one another by a disc C of mica or other insulating material. The portion A has a hole a to receive the core D which is constructed from silica, ganister, fire clay, or other suitable refractory insulating material. The core is encased in a metal tube or casing d and is formed with a passage d1- for a column of mercury. A portion d2 of this passage is restricted and the length, diameter and position of this restricted passage determine the amperage at which the column -will part. The restricted passa e can lmoreover be placed at a point in te column which will enable the apparatus to be used either on alternating, or directcurrent. The top of the metal casing or tube is formed with one or more ears d8 (Figure 3) to facilitate thetil such cam isreleased by raising an insu- A lated handle m1. The lower end of the portion A is threaded at a2 to receive a screwed cap as'having a cylindrical outer surface. Before this cap is screwed onto the threaded portion a2, aA mica or other insulating ring C1 ,is pushed over the threaded portion and such ring is followed by a flanged mica or other insulating ring C2. The upper end of the lower metal portion B is' made the .same diameter as the outer diameter of the capv as and interposed between these parts is the aforesaid disc C of mica, or other insulating material. The portion B constitutes a-cup having a bore b the same diameter as the bore at the lower end ofthe portion A and inserted in this cup is a mica or other insulating tube C3 which overlaps 'the lower. end of the core D^ and abuts passage of mercury. The upper end of the stud 1s again reduced in diameter to enter a hole d at the bottom of the core.

The outer surface of the reduced portion or portions of the stud are serrated, or otherwise formed to afford a large surface contact when surrounded by mercury. The portion Bl is reduced in diameter atb?! to form a shoulder b* and projecting laterally from the portion B is a Contact blade b adapted to engage spring Acontacts on an insulating base until the carrier is tilted to disengage b from the spring contacts and engage the stepped portion .of the cam m with the catch M. The portions A and B are connected together by a sleeve F divided longitudinally and formed with an internal iflange f at one end to engage the flan ed ring Cz and an external screw threa f1 at the other end to receive a union nut f2. Before the sleeve and nut are placed in position, a mica or other insulating tube C4 is passed over the cap a3 and the upper end of the portion B, and a flanged mica or other insulating ring C5 is passed over the portion b3. The nut f2 is then screwed up and the two portions of the sleeve are clamped together by screws f3 (Figure 4). Situated at one side of the sleeve is a handle F1 which may be constructed from any suitable insulating material and be supported by arms f* projectingr from the sleeve. The handle may also be insulated from such arms by an insulating shield C". The construction described affords very high insulation between the top and bottom contacts and between the handle and the carrier. The top of the carrier is provided with a lid or cover A1 that is secured to the carrier by screws a. In the example shown in Figure 1 a copper or other suitable tube (L5 is fixed in the lid and enters the upper end of the core D to make good surface contact the internal diameter of the tube being the same as that 'of the core at this point. A portion of the lid is hollowed out at as to form a curvedldeflecting surface to deflect the mercury into the well a. Surrounding the tube a5 is al washer as and interposed between the latter and the core is an asbestos or other packing ring a. Both the washer as and the tube a5 are partly cut away at am to form a continuation of the well a7. The washer as is forced down onto the top of the core to press the latter firmly onto the asbestos or other packing (ZX between the corev and the mica tube C3. For this purpose a plate a has two or more pins au which pass through holes in the lid or cover and bear on the top of the washer as. Pressure is exerted on such plate by means of a central screw a passing through a bridge piece a on the cover. The latter is provided with a filling aperture al normally closed by a screw stopper alf which also acts as a valve for preventing escape of mercury when theapparatus is in transit, or not in ordinary use.

In the wall surrounding the filling aperture are one or more air vents a to allow free escape of gas produced by vaporization of the mercury. The front of the well is fitted with a window or lens a* to show whether the mercury has been discharged into the well or whether it is still in the column. In addition to the windowv the apparatus may be fitted with an alarm sounding device to indicate when the circuit is broken. This is effected in the example shown by a screwed metal rod E passing through a vulcanite bush e and provided with a lock nut e1 and a clamping nut e2 between which a wire es leading to a bell and battery is fixed. This rod can be adjusted to any height above the surplusmercury in the wel! so that it will make contact when the mercury column pats and flows over into the well.

In the cut-out or circuit breaker shown in Figures 4 and 5 the upper contact als comprises a copper or other suitable block that is placed at the side of the core D and com municates with the passage d1 through a branch passage 17. The contact a is recessed at al and such recessed portion is serrated or otherwise formed to make good surface contact with the mercury. The contact is maintained in position against the core and carrier by suitable screws. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 4: and 5 two such screws .20 are provided for this purpose.

However, a single screw n.20", extending through the blade (1,1, may be employed as shown in Fig. 5a. In this example the core is pressed firmly onto the washer d* above the mica tube C3 by a plate a. and central screw 122. The plate is hollowed out at n, to form a curved deflecting surface for directing the mercury from the column to the vwell and an asbestos or other washer as is interposed between the plate a. and the top of the core.

In the example shown in Figures 6 to 8 the lower contact blade b5 of each switch unit is pivoted in a Spring contact L on an insulatingr base Zof the switch and the upper contact blade al of each switch unit is adapted to engage and disengage a spring contact L1 on the base Z. The contact blade al is connected by a link Zl to an arm Z2 on a shaft Z3 that is provided outside the switch casing with an insulating handle Z4. Z5 indicates a spring for preventing the arms Z2 knocking against the casing Z6 when the switch is pulled out. Z8 indicates a packing `of asbestos wool, or other suitable material for preventing injury to the core D by the shock that is set up by the usual switch spring which is coiled round the sleeve on the shaft and is connected to such sleeve and the casing or other fixed part. This spring throws the arms Z2 out immediately the handle Z yhas been moved far enough to disengage, or nearly 'disengage the top contacts al from the spring contacts I). The filling aperture (L15 is provided with a ball a2* and spring a25 which closes such aperture when the switch is opened. When the switch is closed the ball travels under an abutment Z8 so that gas can escape through the filling aperture in the event of the mercury in the column vaporizing. For transit, or other purposes the switch lever Z4 is held partly out by a screw Z9 and in this position the ball a clears the abutment ZB and remains closed. When the switch has been duly fixed and connected up the screw 1 is removed and the liti the bottom contact.

apparatus `is then ready for work. The switch unit shown inFlgure 8 is provided with a tubular contact a5 in a similar manner to that described in Figure 1 but it may, if desired be provided with a side contact and branch passage similar to the one shown in Figure 4. In any of the arrangements described a number of mercury columns may be arranged in parallel and discharge separately into a. we l or overflow7 or a series of such as shown in Figures 13 and 14.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, Dx indicates a fire-clay or other suitable core that is formed with a combustion. chamber D1 and with a passage D2 for the wire N. This core is enclosed in a carrier comprising two metal portions A and B placed end to end and separated from one another by a disc C of mica, or other insulating material. The two metal portions are connected to# gether by a longitudinally divided sleeve F that is insulated from the portions A and B by mica, or other insulating rings C2., C4 and C5. a1 indicates the top contact ando5 These contacts fit on circular portions of A and B andare detachably connected therewith by set screws a2", or other suitable means. The wire\N is attached to terminals n, n.1 on the topk and bottom contacts. The modification shown in Figures 11 and 12 is the same as that described with reference to Figures 9 and 10 with the exception that the core is formed with a number oilwpassages D2 to receive a number of wires arranged in parallel. In this construction the core is advantageously made in two portions divided longitudinally.

The construction described in additionA to\ affording great mechanical strength and high insulation also provides free 'ventilation and room for escape of gas.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States is 1. In an electrical cut-out, the combination of a tubular core of insulating material, two metal carrier portions encasing said core, insulating material preferablyy mica separating and insulating said carrier portions from oneanother, a. metal sleeve encircling said carrier portions and securing same together and insulating material preferably mica interposed between the sleeve and the carrier portions and insulating the sleeve therefrom 2. In an electrical cutout, the combination of a tubular core of insulating material, two metal carrier portions encasing said core, means situated within the core for making an electrical connection between said ortions, means situated outside the core or separating and electrically insulating said carrier portions from one another, a metal .sleeve encircling said carrier portions and securing same together and means rkfor electrically insulating the metal sleeve from the carrier portions.

3. In an electrical cut-out, the combination of a tubular core of insulating material,

two metal carrier portions' encasing said core, means situated Within the core for making an electrical connection between said portions, means Situated outside the core for separating and electrically insulating said carrier portions from one another. an internally flanged longitudinally divided metal sleeve encircling said carrier portions and securing same together, means for electrically insulating the sleeve from the carrier portions and means for connect-ing the two portions of the sleeve together. l

4. In an electrical cut-out, the combination of a core of insulating material, the said core having a longitudinal passage for a column of mercury restricted for a portion of its length at some predetern'iinedpoint below the top of the core, a metal sheath enclosing said core tightly and formed at its upper end with a projecting surface, two

metal carrier portions encasing said core, means for electrically insulating said carrier portions from one another, a metal sleeve encircling said carrier portions and securing same, meansfor electrically insulating the metal sleeve from the carrier portions, an. overflow situated in the upper metal carrier portion at one side of the core, a metal cover attached to the top of the upper metal carrier portion and having a passage leading from the top of the core passage to the overflow and means for making a luid tight joint at the ends of the core.

5. In' an electrical cut-out, the combination of a core of insulating material, the said core having a longitudinal passage 't'or a column of mercury, restricted for a portion of its length 'at some predetermined point below the top of the core, a metal sheath enclosing said core tightly and formed at its upper end with a projecting surface, two metal carrier portions encasing said core, means for electrically insulating said carrier portions from one another, a metal sleeve encircling said carrier portions and securing same, means for electrically insulating the metal sleeve from the carrier portions, an verliow situated in the upper metal carrier .portion at one side of the core, a metal cover llfl tion of a core of insulating material, the said core having a longitudinal passage for a column of mercury, restricted for a p0rtion of its length at some predetermined point below the top of the core, a metal sheath enclosing said core tightly and formed at its upper end with a projecting surface, two metal carrier portions encasing said core` means for electrically insulating said carrier portions from one another, a metal sleeve encircling said carrier portions and securing same, means for electrically insulating the metal sleeve from the carrier portions, an over-flow situated in the upper metal carrier portion at one side of the core, a metal cover attached to the top of the upper metal carrier portion and having a passage leading from the top of the core passage to the overflow, a filling aperture formed in the cover above the overflow a valve mounted in said iilling aperture and a vent for putting the overiiow in communication with the atmosphere when the valve is open.

7. In an electrical cut-out, the combina tion of a core of insulating material, the said corel having a longitudinal passage for a column of mercury, restricted for a portion of its length at some predetermined point be low the top of the core, a metal sheath enclosing said core tightly and formed at its upper end with a projecting surface, two

metal carrier portions encasing said core,`

means for electrically insulating said carrier portions from one another, a metal sleeve encircling said carrier portions and securing same, means for electrically insulating the metal sleeve from the carrier portions, an overfiow situated in the upper metal carrier portion at. one side of the core, a metal cover attached to the top of the upper metal carrier portion and having a passage leading from the top of the core passage to the overflow, a filling aperture formed in the cover above the overfiow, a valve mounted in said filling aperture, a ventl for putting the over fiow in communication with the atmosphere when the valve is open and a window situated at they front of the overflow for inspection purposes. v

8. In an `electrical cut-out, the combination of two metal carrier portions adapted to contain a tubular core, insulating material preferablyv mica separating and insulating said carrier portions from one another, a metal sleeve encircling said carrier portions and securing saine together and insulating material preferablyv mica interposed between 'the sleeve and the carrier portions and insulating the sleeve therefrom.

9. In an electrical cut-out the combination of a core of insulating material, the said core having a longitudinal passage for a column of mercury restricted for a portion of its length at some predetermined point below the top of the core, a branch passage communicating with the upper part of the longitudinal passage, an upper metal carrier portion encasing said core and having an overflow chamber at one side thereof and a recess at the other side of the core, opposite to the overflow, a contact bloel preferably copper situated in said recess and shaped to lit a portion of the core, the said contact block having a serrated recess communicating with the branch passage, means actuated from the exterior of the carrier for forcing the contact block against the core and onto the bottom of the recess, a lower metal carrier portion insulated from the upper metal carrier portion, a metal sleeve encircling said carrier port-ions and securing same together and means for insulating the sleeve from the carrier portions.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. A

WILLIAM HENRY ILLINGWORTH.

Witnesses:

LEONARD H. CRossLnY,

A. D. Kr'rsoN. 

